Kadirur Sree Suryanarayana Temple is located at Kadirur village in Kannur district just 7 km from Thalassery-Coorg road and is one of the oldest Surya temples in India. It is situated in a village called Kadirur in Thalaserry Thaluk. Kadirur is the shortened form of Kadiravanur in Malayalam which means the Land of Surya as Kadiravan is Surya in Malayalam. Kadirur is located about 8 kms from Thalaserry on Thalaserry Coorg road.
Chathurbahu (four-armed) idol in the main sanctum is that of Lord Mahavishnu worshipped as Suryanarayana and is made of Krishna Shila, a typical stone used for making idols.
The temple originated during the 13th century and the consecration day is observed to be in the Medam month on the Rohini star day.
Ponnyath Akathoot and Kooveri–Mullot Namboodiris were the old administrators of the temple. During the period of Tipu Sultan, his army plundered over the temple in 1789 and the temple remained deserted for some years. Kappanna Karunakara Menon an employee under the then British sub collector Mr. Thomas Harry Babar, seeing the neglected and dilapidated condition, renovated the temple in 1825. Many lend their properties to the temple which were lost during the land reform acts in 1963. The HR&CE department took over the administration in 1973.
The temple is also associated with the epic Ramayana, while Sri Rama was proceeding towards Lanka in search of the Sita, he consecrated the idol of Lord Subramanya at Peralassery and Makreri and of Lord Shiva at Pinaraayi. Hearing about the consecration of these idols by Lord Rama, the Vedic Brahmins, who where then residing at Kadirur also had a wish to worship him and they went on a meditation. Experiencing their faith and satisfied with their prayers, Lord Rama appeared before them and blessed them. He felt the presence of Lord Surya (the Sun God) and consecrated an idol of Lord Mahavishnu and instructed to worship the deity as Suryanarayana.
The temple originated during the 13th century and the consecration day is observed to be in the Medam month on the Rohini star day.
Ponnyath Akathoot and Kooveri–Mullot Namboodiris were the old administrators of the temple. During the period of Tipu Sultan, his army plundered over the temple in 1789 and the temple remained deserted for some years. Kappanna Karunakara Menon an employee under the then British sub collector Mr. Thomas Harry Babar, seeing the neglected and dilapidated condition, renovated the temple in 1825. Many lend their properties to the temple which were lost during the land reform acts in 1963. The HR&CE department took over the administration in 1973.
The temple is also associated with the epic Ramayana, while Sri Rama was proceeding towards Lanka in search of the Sita, he consecrated the idol of Lord Subramanya at Peralassery and Makreri and of Lord Shiva at Pinaraayi. Hearing about the consecration of these idols by Lord Rama, the Vedic Brahmins, who where then residing at Kadirur also had a wish to worship him and they went on a meditation. Experiencing their faith and satisfied with their prayers, Lord Rama appeared before them and blessed them. He felt the presence of Lord Surya (the Sun God) and consecrated an idol of Lord Mahavishnu and instructed to worship the deity as Suryanarayana.
Sub-deities of the temple are Lord Ganapathi and Lord Shiva. The temple also has the sculptural figures of Dasavathara. Temple is simply brilliant and architecturally exquisite with fine carvings and a variety of wooden curios which will linger in any devotees mind for a very long time.
Udayasthamana pooja and Niramaala Vilakku are the main offerings to Sri Suryanarayana Swami and special pooja called Thrikala (on three periods of a day) Pooja is being done once in a month for Bhagavathi although there is no idol of Durga.
Festivals of the temple are:
Rohini Aradhana ('Prathista day') is celebrated on 'Rohini' day in 'Medam' every year. All temple rites associated with it are held besides staging performing arts like Kathakali, Chaakyar Kooth and Ottamthullal. Modern entertainments are also held.
Mandala Utsavam is celebrated on 10th of Dhanu (December).
Thidambu Nritham with Panchaloha idol of deity on the day of Rohini and Mandala Festival is the main attraction of the festivals.
Devi Pooja for goddess Durga is conducted once in a month on last Friday of every month (Malayalam era).
Thiruvonam Oottu on all Thiruvonam austerisms.
Other festivals celebrated are Vishu, Onam, SreeKrishna Jayanthi, Navarathri, MahaShivarathri, Vinayaka Chathurthi etc.
